John Joe The Yank Poem by Francis Duggan

'Tis been a while since he married Julia Mary Brosnan over thirty Summers ago
Though his children are in their late twenties or early thirties them I cannot profess that I know
John Joe Sullivan or the Yank as some called him since he lived for awhile in the U S of A
He is gone from his old home in Coolinarne and with the dead of Millstreet he now lay.

In Corkery's Corner House in Millstreet he often drunk the darkened stuff of cheer
Guinness stout the drink of an old Nation with an alcoholic content far stronger than beer
But drunk or sober he was the same John Joe a character and people like him rare
He had his ups and downs like many others but he was one who did make light of care.

The last time I met John Joe I remember the evening it was cold enough to snow
In Corkery's pub he drunk his fill of guinness and that was more than eighteen years ago
He talked about his years in Uncle Sam's Land and about life in the bigger World out there
One might say he was a good story teller and with others his adventures he did share.

John Joe the Yank no longer in Coolinarne though his will be a well remembered face
He had his Human frailties like all others yet there will not be one to take his place
For in his own right he was quite a character and memories of him with us will remain
And though Coolinarne for his passing is the poorer death relieves us of all living pain.